Working while in nursing school?

Nursing Students General Students

Published

I often get discouraged by my mom and other people saying "you don't have it that hard", "I did it, so can you", type deal because I do not currently have a job, and I have not had one at all in nursing school. I commuted my first semester and ended up failing because I could not handle the commuting and having to get up at the crack of dawn for clinicals and classes. I am mainly a night person. My mom went to school for 7 years to obtain her educational degree. Yes, she had me and my brother and a family to take care of.. But she consistently throws up in my face that her getting her educational degree to teach is just as hard as nursing school. I really beg to differ, but I still get upset and cry and feel like a failure since I do not have a job an all. I applied for tons of hospitals and no call back. My mom does not pay a single dime for anything that I have. I use strictly loans. I just want to know if its really doable and worth it? I usually go to school 4 to 5 days a week. I really want something in the medical field, but I feel like the hospitals aren't willing to hire many people right now. I live in an area where there are only two hospitals. I do not have a CNA license either. There is only one hospital in my area that allows you to be a PCT if you have completed your first semester of BSN. My family and my boyfriend live an hour away from me. It's just a struggle to me to sacrifice the little time I have to spend time with them versus having a job.. My mom says that's a sacrifice you have to make.. And I am like really? Do I have to? I go to school with nobody I know.. Not that it matters, but my boyfriend is my best friend.. And the person that helps me get away from reality. It's very important to me to see him atleast every two weeks. I don't know what I need to do.. Any advice?

I'm starting clinical in August, and I have been working full time. I was fortunate to snag a part-time job in a big health system here as an aide in a LTC facility. The money is helping me pay for school and supplies, plus, I want to work in the system when I graduate next May, so I have my foot in the door already. I know working and school is hard, but if you have to, then you do what you have to do.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Ditto these other people. I don't have a job because I have to have one (though I'm paying for everything with loans so being able to cover living costs with my work money and school costs with my loans is helpful in reducing my debt later); I have a job because I want that good experience! The nurses I work with (I'm an aide in a hospital) are super supportive and they all tell me how well I'm going to do, and being there has really taken a lot of the anxiety I had about becoming a nurse and made it vanish. I have a foot in the door now for getting the job I want when I graduate. Almost all of the new grads find jobs within that hospital, so it's not the challenge to find employment that it would be in other areas, but I'm targeting a critical care position and as a new grad nurse, ICU is a competitive spot to want! It'll be extremely helpful to be able to say that I know and love that hospital, that it's my home.

Also, I'm doing double-time-pace on summer classes and have a boyfriend, too. I have hung out with my boyfriend one time in the past month. It bums us out majorly, but he supports me completely and entirely, every step of the way, and I know that we'll get through it. It's up to you whether you want a job or a boyfriend, but it sounds like you're saying you can't have both. My boyfriend adapted for me. He was never big on texting, but now it's how we stay in touch most of the time and he's really good about it. He loves my passion and helps me any way he can. I think if what you really wanted to do was get a job and bust your bum all the time to work and get as much experience as possible before graduating, your boyfriend should support you.

Edited To Add: HOWEVER, with that said, before I got a lucky break and got hired PRN at the hospital, I was working as a cashier at Wal-Mart, and I can tell you 100% no way I would've done that. I'd have lived on loans before I'd have kept the stresses of a crappy minwage retail job and gone to school at the same time. Try to find any kind of healthcare-related job you can, but if you can't, don't let your mother, who sounds very overbearing, guilt and bully you into having a job.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Well you either have the option of going as you have been, or getting pressured by your mother to have a job. It depends on you really, could you handle 10-15 hours a week for a job? I understand if you cannot, but you might want to try a go of it, if only to get your mother off your back. Obviously a hospital job would be best, but I understand that those are hard to come by. Honestly working a retail/restaurant is NOT that bad, and retail will work around your schedule, because retail has all sorts of weird hours, so they are usually more flexible for students.

It will also give you some experience with working with people, because quite frankly its not that much different than nursing when it comes to the "people" aspect. I dont mean that in retail/waitressing is as challenging as nursing, but you definitely get a taste of what its like to deal with grumpy people, and you learn how to manage it in a respectful way. I know you dont want to work every weekend, and you dont necessarily have to if you get an entry level job. They usually just require you to work one day out of the weekend, its not really as bad as it seems.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If you don't have to work then you shouldn't work. You are right about the nursing school being harder than elementary education. Both have to work hard, but nursing involves peoples lives and schools often have to squeeze too much information into a short period of time. If you don't have to work then you should focus on school and don't add any work stress.

On the other side if you do work then I feel a PCT job will understand your class schedule and work around it since many PCTs are in the same position. If you really want to succeed in school you will put in the hard work. Your mother seems like a very strong and smart woman. She believes you can do both all you have to do is believe it too.

Good Luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Transitional Nursing.

If you can make it without working then thats what you should do. If you need the money, well, you need to find a part time job on weekends. If you don't need the money keep doing what you're doing becasue school will only get harder.

I have to work, and I'd love to be able to just go to school but that isn't an option for me.

Take the gift you've been given and be grateful for it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

My boyfriend is supportive. He would not care if I got a job. He tells me he is proud of me all the time, but I struggle with that emotionally I guess. I don't like being away from him for a long period of time. I know that may sound completely petty but that's just how I am I guess. He is fine with all of it and is not clingy at all. I am the one who seems to be more clingy although compared to my small town of everyone getting married and having babies at twenty, most would beg to differ that I am clingy lol. We will make it through, I am not worried about that one bit. I just like my time with him, and my instructors have told me if you do not go out and do stuff for yourself (when you have completed all your studies and such), it will drive you batty.

I appreciate all the input and encouraging words. I have worked retail before. I worked at Hibbetts for a year an a half, so I am pretty used to that by now. I just would prefer a hospital job to stay in that env't. Like I said on pp, I have applied for like 10-15 positions at the hospital that I do clinicals at during the week. No call backs. When you live in a smaller city, hospitals aren't in abundance, unfortunately. Actually just two in the area, and one doesn't really hire PCT's often because it is a smaller facility. I applied during the summer actually with a completely open schedule besides Tues, so I guess I just am not a candidate :/ I even have done clinical rotations on med-surg, pulmonary, and cardiac floors and stated that in application.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Try opening up your availability on applications. Once you get an interview with a hiring manager you can discuss the hours. A lot of hospitals use screening systems that weed out certain applicants and stating limited availability would probably never land your application where it needs to be (I've worked in HR for quite some time before changing the pace lol). On another note, if you don't need to work then don't stress it but the experience will help out in the long run. I'll be starting my program in the fall and the only reasons I'll be working 32 hours a week at a hospital an hour from my school is because 1) in this job market I would prefer to apply as an internal applicant when the time comes, and 2) tuition reimbursement! Loans help out but paying then back is not something I'm interested in (that's just me). I've also worked two jobs through my first bachelors degree and all of my pre-reqs so I've learned to set priorities. I have a boyfriend that I've been with for 4 years and I'm moving an hour away from him which isn't ideal for me but he's supportive and the truth of the matter is, this is my future...if we're meant to be it'll work out...if not...well...I'm still young ?. Good luck with everything but it seems like you've got a good system...don't beat yourself up over what others want from you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It sounds like you would really like a PRN job...hospital jobs are hard to come by in some places. I'm not sure how your state works, but are you eligible for CNA licensing yet? Maybe I missed that detail on one of your posts. Once you have that you could also look into hospice, home health, or LTC. Some people do not recommend starting out with things like home health because of the independence but it depends on your learning curve. Psych hospitals are also a good place to get experience and do not always have the strict medical experience requirements that traditional hospitals have.

Can you talk with your professors and see what they recommend for experience? Sometimes they can offer feedback on a resume or know the scoop on the local job market.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am in nursing school, I work full time and I have a husband and 2 small kids. I also have a BA degree from a university I attended fresh out of high school when I had no responsibilities and I can tell you that it most definitely is harder when you have a family and a job because the demands on your time seem never-ending, and there is a constant struggle to make sure that in addition to being a good student, you are also a good mom, wife, and employe. It's hard, and a lot of times it isn't much fun, but it is most definitely doable, and there is much more sacrifice for me at this point than there ever was when I was in college the first time around. The sacrifice will be worth it in the end, because I'm doing this to make my life and my family's life better.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If you want to work then work, if you don't have too then don't. I would say 75% of my class works PT including me. Several people commute over an hour to school. One guy commutes 2 hrs and sleeps in his car in a campground 3 nights a week so he doesn't have to commute so far.

I would say if your young, no kids, no job, no responsibilities then yes you have it easy. Not that that's a bad thing.

At first semester orientation the teacher said all of you completed the prereqs, you are all capable of getting through this program. The hard part will be balancing your life and the program. I agree with this.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Wow. The pressure that parents put on their kids sound terrible sometimes. I was very fortunate enough to grow up in a household that encouraged education all the way. I still have to play for college...but that's why I saved up for it. I took a few years off of school to make money so that I could focus on school when the time came.

You should work if you feel like you can. Not to sound arrogant or rude, but if you couldn't handle commuting and going to school...working doesn't sound like the best option for you; and that's totally ok. It wouldn't work for me either. When I'm in school, my mind is focused on my classes 110%.

Sometimes you've got to forget about the things your parents say and do whats best for you. But make sure your not giving up on your own untapped potential. Who knows...maybe you could juggle a bunch of things at once....you'll have to do that as a nurse.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I appreciate all the positive comments that were given. I just wanted to make it clear that I am not discrediting my mother at all. I know what she did is difficult, but she does give me a hard time about not having a job every now and then. My response usually is you do not understand how hard nursing school is. Her response is yes I do, I went to college. I am like no way! I can imagine how difficult it is being a mother, and a wife with doing any major, but a nursing major is just another ball game in my eyes. I agree with what you said kittycat. I was not successful as a commuter, so it would be questionable how much it would affect my grades if I were to work. I am not a spoiled brat by no means. My parent's do not pay a dime for my college. Not that it bothers me because it makes me appreciate what I earn more. I think commuting was more of a problem to me because of numerous personal issues rather than just driving. I love my family, but my parents have fought my entire life. Not wanting anyone to feel sorry for me by no means, It has made me better person!! I am just saying. When you are in the env't when you come home after a long day of class, you want to give up. Really that's why I had to move away. I would have not had to take out hardly any loans at all if I could commute, but my grades are way more important to me. I love my family very much even though they can really get under my skin, but I really wrote this post for encouragement about what I should I do because I do care about my parent's opinions. I know they have wisdom!! I am applying for another job in my hometown for weekends only right now! So maybe I'll get something. I do not think I can just get a CNA license like that in the state of MS. Most of them require to actually go through the course and get a license that way. I wish it wasn't that way or I would hop right on that!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment